BEACON – Russell E. Van Pelt, a lifelong local area resident, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh. He was 72.
Son of the late William Russell and Jean (Carson) Van Pelt, he was born in Cold Spring on November 14, 1945. Russ graduated from Roy C. Ketcham High School (Wappingers Falls) in 1963. In 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was honorably discharged from active service in 1971 as Sergeant and continued his duty in the Reserve until 1973.
In addition to his military service Russ held a long and distinguished career as a Volunteer Firefighter. He was a member of Protection Engine Company 1 (Fishkill), which he joined in 1963 at the age of 18. Since that time, he has served in several leadership roles including Vice President, Company Trustee, 1st and 2nd Lieutenant, and Captain. He was a NYS Certified Fire Investigator, Haz-Mat Technician, and Code Enforcement Official. Russ became the Fire Inspector for both the Town and Village of Fishkill in addition to serving as the Fire and Safety Officer for the Office of Children & Family Services. He was also the Deputy Fire Coordinator for the Dutchess County Dept. of Emergency Response and belonged to the NYS Association of Fire Chiefs.
Russ was a Police Officer for the Town of Fishkill from 1971 to 1980, where he became Detective Corporal in 1975. Since 2004, he has worked as a School Safety Officer at John Jay High School in Hopewell Junction.
For 32 years, Russ worked for AT&T at their facilities in White Plains, New York City, and Newburgh. He retired in 1997 as National Service Manager. He enjoyed spending time as a Ham Radio Operator and was a member and Vice President of the Mount Beacon Amateur Radio Club and also belonged to the Q.S.Y. Society. Russ was also a member of the American Legion Post # 302 (Beacon).
On January 12, 1980, he married Janis A. Butler at the St. Mary Bedford Chapel in the Village of Fishkill. Janis survives at home in Beacon.
Russ is also survived by two daughters: Tara Urbanak & her husband Scott and Sandra Scala & her husband Jeff; his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Daniel, Chyenne, and James; his sister, Roberta Theiss & Frank Coluccio; his brother, William Van Pelt & his wife Heleen; his former wife and friend, Susan Morrill; also many nieces, nephews, and many other loving relatives & friends.
He was predeceased by his parents; his son, Scott Russell Van Pelt (1973); and his sister, Janice Van Pelt (2018).
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, November 5 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A Firematic Tribute will take place at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 6 at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill. Interment will follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301; www.dav.org
For directions and online tributes, you can visit his Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.